H.R. No. 1256
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The members of the Texas House of Representatives
    1-2  take special pleasure in paying tribute to the dean of this
    1-3  chamber, the Honorable Doyle Willis, for the many outstanding
    1-4  contributions he has made to his community, state, and nation over
    1-5  the course of an illustrious career in the Texas Legislature that
    1-6  has spanned more than four decades; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, A native of Kaufman County, Representative Willis
    1-8  was born on August 18, 1908, to a distinguished family that was
    1-9  well established in Texas by the time of the Revolution of 1831;
   1-10  this esteemed gentleman was graduated from The University of Texas
   1-11  at Austin and later pursued a successful career as an educator
   1-12  before attending law school at Georgetown University in Washington,
   1-13  D.C.; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Willis served in the
   1-15  Pacific Theater as a member of the United States Army Air Corps,
   1-16  earning a Bronze Star and attaining the rank of major as a result
   1-17  of the uncommon courage and integrity he displayed as a soldier;
   1-18  these qualities also have been evident in his tireless work in
   1-19  behalf of Texas veterans, and he has earned the respect of military
   1-20  men and women from across the state for his efforts as the former
   1-21  Texas commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as the chairman of
   1-22  the House Veterans Caucus, and as a member of numerous veterans
   1-23  organizations; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, this
    2-1  patriotic American continued to devote his life toward the service
    2-2  of others, this time as a member of the Texas House of
    2-3  Representatives; since he took his first oath as a state
    2-4  representative in 1947, the Honorable Doyle Willis has served the
    2-5  constituents of Tarrant County with honor and distinction for more
    2-6  than four decades and has entered the record books as the
    2-7  longest-serving state representative and the second longest-serving
    2-8  state legislator in the history of Texas; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Through the years, this preeminent lawmaker has
   2-10  inspired and guided countless young representatives through the
   2-11  legislative process, and as dean of the house of representatives he
   2-12  has served as both mentor and advisor to members of both houses, to
   2-13  legislative staffers, and to many other Texans who have answered
   2-14  the call of public service; and
   2-15        WHEREAS, Representative Doyle Willis has brought insight,
   2-16  wisdom, and experience to this chamber, and his many exceptional
   2-17  contributions to Tarrant County and to the entire State of Texas
   2-18  are indeed worthy of our recognition at this time; now, therefore,
   2-19  be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-21  Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Doyle Willis for his
   2-22  exemplary service to the Lone Star State; and, be it further
   2-23        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-24  prepared for Representative Willis as an expression of appreciation
   2-25  and highest regard by his colleagues in the Texas House of
   2-26  Representatives.